I want to spend a
all program lengths
studying in
India, or maybe
all regions. And I'm looking for something with
a traditional exchange
and I definitely want to show off my
need for
any language
skills. Can I go
whenever?

Glance

Scholarships Available

Age Requirement

August 1, 2001 - July 1, 2004. Students who do not meet this age requirement or will graduate from high school before the start of their program will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis.

Language

Hindi and English. No previous language study is required.

Host Family Placement

All students are placed in Northern India with upper income families.

School

School starts in April and ends in early March. There is a one-week break in October for Diwali and a one-week winter break in December.

India is home to over thirty UNESCO World Heritage Sites and one of the seven modern wonders of the world. YFU students have the exciting opportunity to call this cultural wonderland home! Learn more about India.

Academic Programs

As a YFU student to India, you'll live with a host family and attend a local high school. Part of your experience will be:

School: Secondary school (grades 9-12) is for students between the ages of 14 and 18. It prepares students for higher education at India's colleges and universities. Students who have graduated from school in the U.S. will be placed in the 11th grade, as will students completing their senior year. No students will be placed in grade 12 while in India. Courses may include Hindi, English, mathematics, humanities, commerce, computer science, history, social studies, yoga, arts, and physical education. Most classes are taught in English. Students will be placed in private schools, where they typically study humanities and commerce. Students do not study science due to the high level of difficulty.

Orientations: All students applying for the semester or year program must be available for a mandatory 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation, which usually takes place in mid-July. This orientation is a required part of the program aimed at preparing students for their experience overseas. All students will participate in a one-day local pre-departure orientation in May or June. In India, students will also attend post-arrival, mid-year, and re-entry orientations with other YFU students from all over the world. A survival Hindi manual will be provided to students one month before their departure.

Extracurriculars: YFU students are encouraged to engage themselves in extracurricular activities offered by their host schools and communities. Some examples of popular extracurriculars include cricket, musical theater, and athletics.

Optional Excursions: In mid-March, students are invited to participate in a 3-day cultural expedition with other YFU students from around the world. The destination of this trip varies from year to year, but previous expeditions have gone to sites like Himachal, Dehrandun, and Shimla. Students will find out more about this optional trip upon arrival in India.

Volunteer Program

Students enrolled in the Year + Volunteer program will attend school, and then participate in a community service project for the last month of the exchange year. Projects may include but are not limited to working in an orphanage, teaching, working with the elderly, or working with people with mental disabilities. On this program, students continue to live with their host families, but instead of attending school, they volunteer for several hours each day. This volunteer opportunity is a great opportunity for students to make a difference in their Indian communities and immerse themselves even deeper in their host culture.

Students who participate in the Semester+ program will attend school and return home before the exam period begins in late March.

Gap Year Abroad

The traditional Academic programs are also available as Gap Year Abroad options. Learn more about other gap year programs. Students participating in the gap year in India will not be placed in grade 12.

Tuition Includes

-Placement with a host family
-Enrollment in a local Indian private high school
-Airport transfers
-Domestic and international travel
-All pre-departure and post arrival orientations
-Pre-program support by trained YFU staff
-Support from a YFU India Area Representative while on program

Additional Information

Visa Information: Information regarding visas and other immigration processes will be provided upon enrollment. To learn more, you can visit the embassy website here: https://in.usembassy.gov/

Additional Costs: Students should budget to cover additional school-related expenses including summer and winter school uniforms (approx. $200), textbooks (approx. $150), and transportation (approx. $60 per month). Students are also responsible for covering any fees associated with obtaining a visa. Program tuition does not include personal spending money.

Application Deadline

The application deadline for all winter and spring departure programs (January-March) is October 1. The deadline to apply for scholarships is December 1. The deadline for all summer or fall departure programs (June-September) is March 15. Programs can fill up before the deadline, so we encourage early submission!